Metering socket

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a socket, comprising, a body including a plurality of passages, a first surface, a second surface, and an outer surface; the first surface is configured to accommodate an insert; the second surface is configured to cooperate with an engine workpiece; the outer surface is configured to cooperate with the inner surface of an engine workpiece; and at least one of the surfaces is fabricated through forging.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to sockets for push rods, and particularly to sockets for push rods used in combustion engines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sockets for push rods are known in the art and are used in camshaft internal combustion engines. U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,191 to Blowers et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a socket for a push rod. However, U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,191 to Blowers et al. does not disclose the forging of a socket for a push rod nor efficient manufacturing techniques in fabricating a socket for a push rod.

[0003] The present invention is directed to overcoming this and other disadvantages inherent in sockets presently manufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. Briefly stated, a socket, comprising, a body including a plurality of passages, a first surface, a second surface, and an outer surface; the first surface is configured to accommodate an insert; the second surface is configured to cooperate with an engine workpiece; the outer surface is configured to cooperate with the inner surface of an engine workpiece; and at least one of the surfaces is fabricated through forging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of a metering socket.

[0006]FIG. 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of a metering socket.

[0007]FIG. 3 depicts the top view of a surface of a metering socket.

[0008]FIG. 4 depicts the top view of another surface of a metering socket.

[0009]FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a metering socket accommodating an engine work piece.

[0010]FIG. 6 depicts an outer surface of an embodiment of a metering socket.

[0011]FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a metering socket cooperating with an engine work piece.

[0012]FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a metering socket cooperating with an engine work piece.

[0013]FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a metering socket cooperating with an engine work piece.

[0014] FIGS. 10-14 depict a preferred method of fabricating a metering socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a metering socket 10 constituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The metering socket 10 is composed of a metal, preferably aluminum. According to one aspect of the present invention, the metal is copper. According to another aspect of the present invention, the metal is iron.

[0016] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the metal is an alloy. According to one aspect of the present invention, the metal includes ferrous and non-ferrous materials. According to another aspect of the present invention, the metal is a steel. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that steel is in a plurality of formulations and the present invention is intended to encompass all of them. According to one embodiment of the present invention the steel is a low carbon steel. In another embodiment of the present invention, the steel is a medium carbon steel. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the steel is a high carbon steel.

[0017] Those with skill in the art will also appreciate that the metal is a super alloy. According to one aspect of the present invention, the super alloy is bronze; according to another aspect of the present invention, the super alloy is a high nickel material. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the metering socket 10 is composed of pearlitic material. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the metering socket 10 is composed of austenitic material. According to another aspect of the present invention, the metal is a ferritic material.

[0018] The body 20 is composed of a plurality of shaft elements. According to one aspect of the present invention, the shaft element is cylindrical in shape. According to another aspect of the present invention, the shaft element is conical in shape. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the shaft element is solid. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the shaft element is hollow.

[0019]FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention composed of a plurality of shaft elements. FIG. 1 shows the body, generally designated 20. The body 20 functions to accept a liquid, such as a lubricant and is provided with a plurality of surfaces and passages. Referring now to FIG. 3, the first surface 31 functions to accommodate an insert, such as, for example, a push rod 96.

[0020] The body 20 of the preferred embodiment is fabricated from a single piece of metal wire or rod and is described herein as a plurality of shaft elements. The body 20 includes a first hollow shaft element 21, a second hollow shaft element 22, and a third hollow shaft element 23. As depicted in FIG. 1, the first hollow shaft element 21 is located adjacent to the second shaft element 22. The second shaft element 22 is located adjacent to the third hollow shaft element 23.

[0021] The first hollow shaft element 21 functions to accept an insert, such as a push rod. The third hollow shaft element 23 functions to conduct fluid. The second hollow shaft element 22 functions to fluidly link the first hollow shaft element 21 with the third hollow shaft element 23.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, the body 20 is provided with a plurality of outer surfaces and inner surfaces. FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided with a first surface 31. The first surface 31 is configured to accommodate an insert. The preferred embodiment is also provided with a second surface 32. The second surface 32 is configured to cooperate with an engine workpiece.

[0023]FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the first surface 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the first surface 31 is provided with a generally spherical surface 35 defining a first hole 36. Preferably, the generally spherical surface 35 is concentric relative to the outer surface 40; however, such concentricity is not necessary. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the first hole 36 fluidly links the first surface 31 with a passage 37. The passage 37 is shaped to conduct fluid, preferably a lubricant. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the passage 37 is cylindrically shaped; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the passage 37 may assume any shape so long as it is able to conduct fluid.

[0024]FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the second surface 32. The second surface is provided with an outer surface passage 38. The outer surface passage 38 is configured to conduct fluid, preferably a lubricant. As depicted in FIG. 4, the outer surface passage 38 of the preferred embodiment is generally cylindrical in shape; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the outer surface passage 38 may assume any shape so long as it conducts fluid.

[0025] The second surface 32 defines a second hole 34. The second hole 34 fluidly links the second surface 32 with passage 37. The second surface 32 is provided with a curved surface 33. The curved surface 33 is preferably concentric relative to the outer surface 40. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is not necessary that the second surface 32 be provided with a curved surface 33 or that the curved surface 33 be concentric relative to the outer surface 40. The second surface 32 may be provided with any surface and the curved surface 33 of the preferred embodiment may assume any shape so long as the second surface 32 cooperates with the opening of an engine workpiece.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, the first surface 31 is depicted accommodating an insert. As shown in FIG. 5, that insert is a push rod 96. The second surface 32 is further depicted cooperating with an engine workpiece. In FIG. 5, that engine workpiece is a leakdown plunger 50, such as that disclosed in Applicants' “Leakdown Plunger,” application Ser. No. ______ filed on Oct. 18, 2002, a copy of which is attached hereto, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that push rods other than the push rod 96 shown herein can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that leakdown plungers other than the leakdown plunger 50 shown herein can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0027] As depicted in FIG. 5, the curved surface 33 cooperates with an opening 51 of the leakdown plunger 50. According to one aspect of the present invention, the curved surface 33 preferably corresponds to the opening 51 of the leakdown plunger 50. According to another aspect of the present invention, the curved surface 33 preferably provides a closer fit between the second surface 32 of the body 20 and the opening 51 of the leakdown plunger 50.

[0028] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, a passage 37 is provided. The passage 37 preferably functions to lubricate the generally spherical surface 35. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 is also provided with an outer surface passage 38. The outer surface passage 38 is configured to conduct fluid, preferably a lubricant.

[0029] The outer surface passage 38 performs a plurality of functions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the outer surface passage 38 fluidly links the opening 51 of the leakdown plunger 50 and the outer surface 40 of the body 20. According to another aspect of the present invention, the outer surface passage 38 fluidly links the inner surface 52 of the leakdown plunger 52 and the outer surface 40 of the body 20.

[0030] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the outer surface passage 38 can be extended so that it joins passage 37 within the body 20. However, it is not necessary that the passages 37, 38 be joined within the body 20. As depicted in FIG. 5, the outer surface passage 38 of an embodiment of the present invention is fluidly linked to passage 37. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the outer surface 40 is fluidly linked to the first surface 31 in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5.

[0031] As depicted in FIG. 6, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided with an outer surface 40. The outer surface 40 is configured to cooperate with the inner surface of an engine workpiece. The outer surface 40 of the presently preferred embodiment is cylindrically shaped. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the outer surface 40 may assume any shape so long as it is configured to cooperate with the inner surface of an engine workpiece.

[0032] As depicted in FIG. 7, the outer surface 40 may advantageously be configured to cooperate with the inner surface of an engine workpiece. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer surface is configured to cooperate with the inner surface 170 of a lifter body 120. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the outer surface 40 may advantageously be configured to cooperate with the inner surfaces of other lifter bodies, such as, for example, the lifter bodies disclosed in Applicants' “Valve Lifter,” application Ser. No. ______ filed on Oct. 18, 2002, a copy of which is attached hereto, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0033]FIG. 8 depicts the outer surface 40 configured to cooperate with the inner surface of another workpiece. As shown in FIG. 8, the outer surface 40 is configured to cooperate with the inner surface 240 of a lash adjuster body 220. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the outer surface 40 may be configured to cooperate with a lash adjuster, such as that disclosed in Applicants' “Lash Adjuster,” application Ser. No. ______ filed on Oct. 18, 2002, a copy of which is attached hereto, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As depicted in FIG. 9, the lash adjuster body 220, with the body 20 of the present invention located therein, may be inserted into a roller follower body 320, such as that disclosed in Applicants' “Roller Follower Body,” application Ser. No.______ filed on Oct. 18, 2002, a copy of which is attached hereto, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 10 to FIG. 14, the presently preferred method of fabricating a metering socket is disclosed. FIGS. 10 to 14 depict what is known in the art as a “slug progression” that shows the fabrication of the present invention from a rod or wire to a finished or near-finished body. In the slug progression shown herein, pins are shown on the punch side; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pins can be switched to the die side without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0035] The preferred embodiment is forged with use of a National® 750 parts former machine. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other part formers, such as, for example, a Waterbury machine can be used. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that other forging methods can be used as well.

[0036] The process of forging an embodiment of the present invention begins with a metal wire or metal rod 1000 which is drawn to size. The ends of the wire or rod are squared off. As shown in FIG. 10, this is accomplished through the use of a first punch 1001, a first die 1002, and a first knock out pin 1003.

[0037] After being drawn to size, the wire or rod 1000 is run through a series of dies or extrusions. As depicted in FIG. 11, the fabrication of the first surface 31, the outer surface, and the third surface is preferably commenced through use of a second punch 1004, a second knock out pin 1005, and a second die 1006. The second punch 1004 is used to commence fabrication of the first surface 31. The second die 1006 is used against the outer surface 40. The second knock out pin 1005 is used to commence fabrication of the second surface 32.

[0038]FIG. 12 depicts the fabrication of the first surface 31, the second surface 32, and the outer surface 40 through use of a third punch 1007, a first stripper sleeve 1008, a third knock out pin 1009, and a third die 1010. The first surface 31 is fabricated using the third punch 1007. The first stripper sleeve 1008 is used to remove the third punch 1007 from the first surface 31. The second surface 32 is fabricated through use of the third knock out pin 1009, and the outer surface 40 is fabricated through use of the third die 1010.

[0039] As depicted in FIG. 13, the fabrication of the passages 37, 38 is commenced through use of a punch pin 1011 and a fourth knock out pin 1012. A second stripper sleeve 1013 is used to remove the punch pin 1011 from the first surface 31. The fourth knock out pin 1012 is used to fabricate the outer surface passage 38. A fourth die 1014 is used to prevent change to the outer surface 40 during the fabrication of the passages 37, 38.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 14, fabrication of passage 37 is completed through use of pin 1015. A third stripper sleeve 1016 is used to remove the pin 1015 from the first surface 31. A fifth die 1017 is used to prevent change to the outer surface 40 during the fabrication of passage 37. A tool insert 1018 is used to prevent change to the second surface 32 and the outer surface passage 38 during the fabrication of passage 37.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that further desirable finishing may be accomplished through machining. For example, passages 37, 38 may be enlarged and other passages may be drilled. However, such machining is not necessary.

[0042] While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A socket, comprising: a) a body including a plurality of passages, a first surface, a second surface, and an outer surface; b) the first surface is configured to accommodate an insert; c) the second surface is configured to cooperate with a first engine workpiece; d) the outer surface is configured to cooperate with the inner surface of a second engine workpiece; and e) at least one of the surfaces is fabricated through forging.
 2. A socket according to claim 1, wherein the first engine workpiece is a leakdown plunger.
 3. A socket according to claim 1, wherein the second engine workpiece is a lash adjuster body.
 4. A socket according to claim 1, wherein the second engine work piece is a valve lifter body.
 5. A socket according to claim 1, wherein the first engine workpiece is a leakdown plunger and the second engine workpiece is a lash adjuster.
 6. A socket according to claim 1, wherein the first engine workpiece is a leakdown plunger and the second engine workpiece is a valve lifter.
 7. A socket according to claim 1, wherein a passage is fabricated through forging. 